Listening Part 5: Discussion

Good at convincing people to believe something or to take a particular action through argument or reasoning.

“The commenter finds the author's argument persuasive and largely agrees with the conclusions.”

“A persuasive article uses a mix of statistics, expert quotes, and emotional appeal.”

Often used: persuasive argument · highly persuasive · persuasive writing

CELPIP tip: In Part 4, if the commenter describes the article as 'persuasive,' their attitude is positive or agreeing — use this to answer attitude questions accurately.

To confirm that you have received something or that you are aware of a situation.

“Please acknowledge receipt of this email by replying at your earliest convenience.”

“The manager acknowledged the complaint and promised to investigate the issue.”

Often used: acknowledge receipt · acknowledge a complaint · acknowledge an email

CELPIP tip: In CELPIP Reading Part 1, 'acknowledge' often appears in business emails; it signals the sender is confirming they received or understood something — watch for it in the opening line.

An agreement where both sides accept something less than they originally wanted in order to settle a dispute.

“They reached a compromise that satisfied both the management and the staff.”

“Without compromise, the discussion would not have produced any results.”

Often used: reach a compromise · fair compromise · find a compromise

CELPIP tip: Listen for 'compromise' near the end of a Part 5 discussion — it usually signals the resolution, which is a common question topic.

To fail to notice or consider something important, especially during a discussion.

“You've overlooked the fact that half the staff work part time.”

“The speaker accused her colleague of overlooking the safety risks.”

Often used: overlook a point · overlook the fact · easy to overlook

CELPIP tip: When a speaker says someone has 'overlooked' something, it signals disagreement and the introduction of a new point — pay close attention to what follows.

Not fully convinced or trusting about something; having doubts about a claim or idea.

“Many readers are skeptical about the study's conclusions.”

“The commenter is skeptical that the proposed solution will work in practice.”

Often used: remain skeptical · deeply skeptical · skeptical of claims

CELPIP tip: If a commenter's tone is skeptical, answer attitude questions with options showing doubt or disbelief rather than outright rejection.

To reluctantly admit that something is true or that the opposing side has a valid point.

“Even the critic concedes that the program has produced some positive results.”

“She concedes that her initial figures were slightly inaccurate.”

Often used: concede a point · concede that · concede defeat

CELPIP tip: When a writer 'concedes,' they are partially agreeing with the opposite view — this is a key signal of a nuanced attitude in Part 4.

A general agreement reached by all or most people in a group after discussion.

“After a long meeting, the team finally reached a consensus on the new policy.”

“There was no consensus among the speakers about how to handle the budget cuts.”

Often used: reach a consensus · broad consensus · consensus view

CELPIP tip: In Listening Part 5, listen for 'consensus' to signal that speakers have stopped arguing and moved toward agreement — it often marks a turning point in the discussion.

To explain something in more detail or add more information to what has already been said.

“Could you elaborate on why you think this plan won't work?”

“He elaborated on his proposal by giving three specific examples.”

Often used: elaborate on a point · elaborate further · please elaborate

CELPIP tip: When one speaker asks another to 'elaborate', important supporting details follow — these details are frequently tested in comprehension questions.

To continue to assert or hold a position or opinion even when others challenge it.

“She maintained that the original schedule was perfectly achievable.”

“Despite the criticism, he maintained his position throughout the entire discussion.”

Often used: maintain a position · maintain that · firmly maintain

CELPIP tip: If a speaker 'maintains' their view after being challenged, they have NOT changed their opinion — questions testing speaker attitudes often hinge on this.

The quality of being good, useful, or worthy of consideration in a discussion or argument.

“The committee recognized the merits of both proposals before voting.”

“I can see some merit in what you are saying, but I still have concerns.”

Often used: on its merits · see the merit in · merits and drawbacks

CELPIP tip: Phrases like 'I see the merit in that' show partial agreement — in Part 5, track whether speakers are fully or only partially agreeing.

To argue against or respond to an opposing claim, providing reasons or evidence to show it is wrong.

“The commenter rebutted every point made in the original article.”

“She rebutted his argument by citing three independent studies.”

Often used: rebut an argument · rebut a claim · effectively rebut

CELPIP tip: When a commenter 'rebuts,' they are engaging directly with the article — use this word to track the structure of disagreement in Part 4 passages.

A particular position or perspective from which a person considers a topic or problem.

“From a financial standpoint, the project is simply too risky.”

“Each speaker presented the issue from a different standpoint.”

Often used: from a standpoint · different standpoint · practical standpoint

CELPIP tip: When you hear 'from a [word] standpoint', a speaker is introducing a specific angle — this often leads to a disagreement with someone using a different standpoint.

To formally express agreement with another person's opinion or decision.

“I concur with my colleague that the timeline needs to be extended.”

“Both managers concurred that the new system was an improvement.”

Often used: concur with · fully concur · concur on

CELPIP tip: 'Concur' is a formal signal of agreement — in Part 5 multiple-choice questions, it confirms that two speakers share the same opinion on an issue.

The total sales of a business in a period; also staff leaving rate.

“High staff turnover increased training costs.”

Often used: annual turnover · staff turnover

CELPIP tip: Clarify which meaning: 'staff turnover' (HR) vs 'annual turnover' (sales) to avoid ambiguity in responses.

Causing or likely to cause argument or disagreement among people with different views.

“The issue of remote work proved to be the most contentious topic in the meeting.”

“Both speakers acknowledged that the policy change was contentious.”

Often used: contentious issue · highly contentious · contentious debate

CELPIP tip: A 'contentious' topic in Part 5 signals that disagreement is central to the whole passage — expect multiple questions about different speakers' positions.

The expression of disagreement or a different opinion from that held by the majority.

“There was clear dissent among the team members about the proposed changes.”

“One speaker voiced her dissent, arguing the plan was too expensive.”

Often used: voice dissent · strong dissent · express dissent

CELPIP tip: Dissent in Part 5 identifies the speaker who is NOT going along with the group — questions often ask who disagreed or what they disagreed about.

To stop insisting on a position or demand because of pressure from others.

“After hearing the data, he backed down from his original proposal.”

“She refused to back down even when the entire group disagreed with her.”

Often used: back down from a position · refuse to back down · eventually back down

CELPIP tip: Knowing whether a speaker 'backed down' is critical for questions about speaker attitude — it shows a change of mind under pressure.

To formally mention a worry or problem about a topic during a discussion.

“He raised a concern about the lack of funding for the project.”

“Several participants raised concerns about the new working hours.”

Often used: raise a valid concern · raise serious concerns · raise the concern that

CELPIP tip: This phrase signals that a speaker is about to disagree or add a complication — the concern they raise is very likely to be the subject of a question.

To strongly disagree with a particular statement, idea, or action.

“I have to take issue with the claim that costs will not increase.”

“She took issue with her colleague's suggestion to cut the training budget.”

Often used: take issue with that · take issue with the claim · strongly take issue

CELPIP tip: This phrase is a polite but firm marker of disagreement — in Part 5, it clearly identifies which speaker opposes a particular idea.

To describe something exactly right.

“You hit the nail on the head with that idea.”

CELPIP tip: Informal; use when agreeing strongly in opinions. Avoid in formal writing tasks—use 'precisely' instead.